50 websites supporting small businesses.
While searching for contacts to help with my own site I have gathered together a number of sites that are dedicated to helping small businesses, so I thought I would list them here:
(1) Business Gateway http://www.bgateway.com
Practical help, advice and support for new and growing business in Scotland.
2) Small Business.co.uk http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk
SmallBusiness.co.uk provides useful resources, products and services for small business owners and start-ups. They offer free online advice in the form of news articles, guides, tips and features that can point you in the right direction to start and run your own small business.
3) About.com: http://retail.about.com
Shari Waters says “I understand that being a shop owner/operator requires an extraordinary amount of skill. You have many hats to wear and must know when to wear which in order to be successful. From writing orders and managing employees to stocking new inventory, the job as a retailer is never done and there is always room for improvement. I hope this site offers the necessary tools, resources and support you need to successfully start and operate your retail business.”
4) Business Link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
Businesslink.gov.uk helps your business save time and money by giving you instant access to clear, simple, and trustworthy information. It is developed in partnership with subject experts within government and relevant business-support organisations to help you comply with regulations and improve your performance. Whether you're starting up, already running a business, or looking to grow and develop, we can help you.
5) Federation of small businesses http://www.fsb.org.uk
The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political. It is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has 213,000 members across 33 regions and 194 branches.
6) Bytestart.co.uk http://www.bytestart.co.uk
Bytestart is the fastest growing, and one of the most popular small business sites in the UK with over 195k unique visitors in January 2010. Independently run and operated by online specialists, they provide no-nonsense guides and news for start ups and SMEs.
7) Scottish Business Blog http://www.scottishbusinessblog.co.uk
Support and advice for Scottish Businesses
8) Smarta.com http://www.smarta.com
Smarta is the ultimate advice and networking resource for anyone starting and running a small business. Smarta provides independent, entrepreneur-led support and is backed by some of the UK's top entrepreneurs.
9) Association of Convenience Stores http://www.acs.org.uk
ACS is the campaigning voice of more than 33,500 local shops. As the convenience store champion ACS supports its members through lobbying, advice on legislation and issues that affect retailers, and through learning and networking events.
10) Small Biz Pod http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/
SmallBizPod is a podcast, blog, news and community site for small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
11) My Business Advice http://www.mybusinessadvice.co.uk
Whether you are just starting in business or you have an existing business then you probably would welcome ideas for making more money, gain more valuable time, and have less stress. If this applies to you then you have found the on-line business support site that will make a real difference to you and your business.
12) 4sme http://www.4sme.co.uk
Almost everyone has thought of starting a small business at some point in their lives; sometimes as a result of spotting a need or opportunity, sometimes simply to get out of working 'for someone else' and sometimes as a sideline. SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) account for the largest proportion of the UK's Gross National Product of all sizes of business, so we believe they should be supported to ensure as many of them as possible survive and prosper.
13) The Retailers Advantage http://theretailersadvantage.net
Your source for your retailing success. Rick Segel, Retail expert, renowned retail speaker & author of 13 books on retailing.
14) Business Balls http://www.businessballs.com
Businessballs is a free ethical learning and development resource for people and organizations, run by Alan Chapman, in Leicester, England.
15) Fresh Business Thinking http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com
An on-line resource for small business owners, directors and entrepreneurs. It is where information hungry and time-poor business decision makers can source information and advice to help them run their businesses more effectively and efficiently.
16) My Business http://www.mybusiness.co.uk
Whether you are an entrepreneur, want to be an entrepreneur or simply want to learn more about the lifeblood of Britain’s economy, My Business is your top small business resource on the web.
17) Small Business Pro http://www.smallbusinesspro.co.uk
If you've ever dreamt of leaving the corporate world of commerce by going self employed and starting your own small business then use the ideas, help, advice and information on this site to start-up as a sole trader or form a limited company and turn your dreams into a successful business.
18) Biz Help 24 http://www.bizhelp24.com
Over 1,300 in-depth articles on UK business and finance help and information.
19) Business Network Online http://www.thebusinessnetworkonline.com
Business Network Online connects you to valuable leads, contacts and opportunities through a trusted network of Chamber members across the UK
FORUMS
20) The Retail Forum http://www.retailforum.co.uk
21) A1 Business Forums http://www.a1businessforums.co.uk
22) UK Business Forums http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk
23) Retailer Forum http://www.retailerforum.biz
Retailer Forum is a smart, social networking website for retailers, by retailers.
24) Forum of Private Business http://www.fpb.org
We're a proactive, not-for-profit organisation and can assist you with every aspect of running your business and across every department, from HR and finance to business development. We provide cost-effective, tailored business solutions to support, protect and reassure you throughout the life-cycle of your business.
STARTUPS
25) Startups.co.uk http://www.startups.co.uk
Startups.co.uk is your number-one online resource for starting a business. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur ready to start a business for the first time or you are an established entrepreneur looking to do it a second time, we have all the news and information you need to get your small business starting on the right foot.
26) New Business.co.uk http://www.newbusiness.co.uk
New Business provides independent advice and guidance to directors and owners of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK through this website, the quarterly publication New Business Magazine, and the free weekly e-newsletter.
27) School for Starups http://www.schoolforstartups.co.uk
The inspiration of serial entrepreneur and angel investor Doug Richard, School for Startups is the UK’s leading provider of business training for entrepreneurs. We provide accelerated business training that helps entrepreneurs launch more successful startups and run more successful businesses.
28) Local Business Enterprise http://www.localbusinessenterprise.co.uk
LocalBusinessEnterprise contains over 70 articles written by our experts who continually update and add new content.
NEWS
29) The Retail Bulletin http://www.theretailbulletin.com
The Retail Bulletin is an online information source aimed at meeting retailers' need for quick, accurate and up-to-date news about the industry. The Retail Bulletin is a dedicated website for the fast moving retail sector.
30) Retail Week http://www.retail-week.com
Retail Week is the UK's leading provider of retail industry news, top retail jobs, key retail market reports and data, from across the entire retail sector.
31) The British Retail Consortium http://www.brc.org.uk
BRC is the lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers, from the large multiples and department stores through to independents, selling a wide selection of products through centre of town, out of town, rural and virtual stores.
LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT
32) We Love Local http://www.welovelocal.com
Whether you're looking for a reliable plumber, a new bar or somewhere nearby to repair your shoes, welovelocal can help you find it.
33) Support Local Business http://www.supportlocalbusiness.org.uk
Support Local Business (SLB), quite simply, is a community made up from the general public and businesses saying Whenever possible, I/we will buy from a business that also supports other local businesses
SOCIAL NETWORKING
34) Partner Up http://www.partnerup.com
We are an online community focused on the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each of our features and functions is aimed at providing the most complete and efficient small business networking experience
35) Biznik http://biznik.com
It sucks growing a business alone. No one cares. But we do. Biznik is an award-winning community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed.
36) E•Factor http://www.efactor.com
Much more than a business or social network, E.Factor provides you with the people, the tools and the expertise to suceed.
37) Fast Pitch Networking http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com
Fast Pitch is a Global Network of Professionals connecting online with the primary goal to add value to their business and the community as a whole. Business networking and marketing is the life blood of local and global economies. By combining sophisticated and simple tools online with a social networking platform, professionals can receive real return on their investment.
38) Startup Nation http://www.startupnation.com
StartupNation is a free service founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. We created this site to be your one-stop shop for entrepreneurial success, and we’re thrilled that StartupNation has grown to be the leading online content and community resource for entrepreneurs.
MARKETING
39) Jims Marketing Blog http://jimsmarketingblog.com/
Marketing ideas for small and medium sized businesses with Jim Connolly.
40) Ducttape Marketing http://www.ducttapemarketing.com
John Jantsch has been called the World's Most Practical Small Business Expert for consistently delivering real-world, proven small business marketing ideas and strategies.
41) Marketing Donut http://www.marketingdonut.co.uk/
If you’re looking for the best no-nonsense advice about how to market your small firm more effectively, you’ve come to the right place. The Marketing Donut gives you down-to-earth, practical support to manage your sales and marketing, sprinkled with a bit of inspiration.
42) Michael Christon http://www.michaelchriston.com
The small business marketing strategy and psychology blog of Michael Christon.
INDEPENDENT RETAILERS
43) My Shop Signs http://www.myshopsigns.com
Free printable sale signs for independent retailers.
44) Better Retailing http://www.betterretailing.com
betterRetailing aims to support enterprising independent retailers with a site full of ideas and business opportunities from each other and selected trade partners.
45) Retail Rehab http://www.retailrehab.co.uk
The idea behind RetailRehab was to create a resource point for small shops and businesses. To give you access to information on how best to face the economic challenges in the coming year. We've collected lots of ideas, and we're posting more all the time.
46) Phil’s Forum http://www.philsforum.com
You're here because you're looking for retail success. You‘re on the verge but you need that one tool that will push you over the hump. Mistakes? You’ve made enough to know you don’t want to make any more. You’re looking for your success. You’re just not sure where to find its. That’s where I come in.
47) ActSmart http://www.actsmart.biz
The business resource for retailers, suppliers and trade bodies in the sports and leisure sectors.
48) Independent Retailers Consortium http://www.independent-retailers.co.uk
The IRC represents over 100,000 independent retailers across the UK and the membership is united in seeking the creation of a level playing field for specialist retailers.
49) Always Upward http://www.alwaysupward.com
Valued as a knowledgable voice in the retail sector, Cinda is frequently sought out for her expertise and leadership. Her resumé includes advisory positions with AmericasMart Atlanta and the National Stationery Show; Board of Director positions with Gift for Life and the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA); the honor of being a Charter Member in the National Stationery Delegates Program; and often quoted small business expert for media outlets across the country.
50) The Store Supply Guy http://www.storesupplyblog.com
Welcome to Ask the Store Supply Guy. Sponsored by Store Supply Warehouse, this blog and forum is intended to serve as a valuable resource for the retail industry. We want to cover topics and answer questions that will ultimately help independent retailers be successful.